THE SELECTOR
Reading edition
AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.
MICHAEL SCOTT, THE WIZARD.
No. 22 of the Family Library is another volume of pleasant biography; for, to speak the truth, the biographies, or biographetts of this series are the most agreeable reading of the day. The Lives are not of undue length, and anecdote and judicious remark are abundantly scattered along each of them. There are no dry details of "birth, parentage, and education;" but these particulars are given with more attractions. In short, the Lives are just suited for parlour and drawing-room libraries, and many a reader who could not be persuaded to turn to Dr. Chalmers's lengthy two-and-thirty tomes of Biography, would be tempted to sit down and read a volume of the Family Lives outright.
The volume before us is the first of "the Lives of Scottish Worthies," by Mr. Patrick Fraser Tytler, author of an excellent History of Scotland. It comprises Alexander III., Michael Scott, Sir William Wallace, and Robert Bruce. We quote from Scott, who, though a wizard, deserves rank among "Worthies," and the philosophers and scholars of his time. Thus, Mr. Tytler says "he was certainly the first who gave Aristotle in a Latin translation to the learned world of the West. He was eminent as a mathematician and an astronomer, learned in the languages of modern Europe—deeply skilled in Arabic, and in the sciences of the East; he had risen to high celebrity as a physician—and his knowledge of courts and kings, had recommended him to be employed in a diplomatic capacity by his own government." The following passage is, however, from "his more popular and wider honour"—his superstitious character,—whilst, as Mr. Tytler prettily observes, "his miracles and incantations are yet recorded beside the cottage fire, by many a grey-headed crone, and his fearful name still banishes the roses from the cheeks of the little audience that surround her."
It is well known to the student of Italian literature, that the Magician has obtained a niche in the Inferno of Dante.
"Quel altro che ne fianchi e cosi poco Michele Scoto fu, che veramente Delle magiche frode seppe il gioco."
Another poet of Italy, but of infinitely inferior note, Theophilo Folengi, who published a collection of Latin Macaronic verses, under the fictitious name of Merlinus Coccaius, has given, in strange and almost unintelligible language, a singular picture of his incantations.
"Behold renown'd Scotus take his stand Beneath a tree's deep shadow, and there draw His magic circle—in its orb describe Signs, cycles, characters of uncouth shapes; And with imperious voice his demons call. Four devils come—one from the golden west, Another from the east; another still Sails onwards from the south—and last of all Arrives the northern devil; by their aid He forms a wondrous bridle, which he fits Upon a jet black steed, whose back, nor clothes, Nor saddle, e'er encumber'd—Up he mounts, Cleaves the thin air like shaft from Turkish bow, Eyes with contemptuous gaze the fading earth, And caprioles amongst the painted clouds. Oft, too, with rites unhallow'd, from the neck Of his dark courser he will pluck the locks, And burn them as a sacrifice to Him Who gives him power o'er Nature: next he limns With silver wand upon the smooth firm beach A mimic ship—look out, where ocean's verge Meets the blue sky, a whitening speck is seen, That nears and nears—her canvass spreads to heav'n; Fair blows the wind, and roaring through the waves, On comes the Demon ship, in which he sails To farthest Ind—but this adventure needs A sacrifice more potent—human marrow Scoop'd from the spine, and burnt to the dark power Whom he must serve. 'Tis said that he who wears His magic cap, invisible may walk, And none so lynx-eyed as detect his presence, In the most peopled city—yet beware, Let him not, trusting to the demon's power, Cross the white splendour of the sun, for there, Although no palpable substance is discern'd, His shadow will betray him."
"Maister Michael Scott's man Sought meat, and gat nane."
The embellishments, six in number, are engraved in a pleasing style by W.H. Lizars. Two of them,—a Norwegian Barrow, and Turnberry Castle, are very effective.